GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
INCREDIBLY RARE AND HISTORIC MARCH 1962 HECKLER AND KOCH G3 MK SEMI-AUTO RIFLE (C & R).HECKER AND KOCHG3MK 2085.308MODERN; C&RCal. 7.62 x 51 MM (.308), 19 1/14" bbl. This rifle is truly the "ghost" of the collectible H & K rifles in America. The very first of the G3 rifles imported into America in March of 1962 for the Santa Fe Division of the Golden State Arms Corporation. This fantastic specimen is one of reportedly only around 20 examples imported in the very first shipment into the United States and uniquely distinguishable from later July and November offerings of the same year. Marked "G3 MK 2085" and "HK 3/62" on left side of magazine housing with corresponding matching numbered lower and buttstock housing, this rifle appears to be all matching and original. Although at first glance safety appears to have three positions, a raised dimple prevents it being moved beyond the 2nd position. Receiver is attractively marked, "MADE IN GERMANY FOR (LOGO) SANTA FE DIVISION GOLDEN STATE ARMS CORPORATION CALIFORNIA - U.S.A. CAL. 7.62 MM NATO". Top of bolt marked, "HK 2/62". Underside of wooden stock marked "3". Beautiful wooden buttstock and forend with a hard black composite grip and butt plate reminiscent of the late WW2 butts on the German MG 42 guns from that era. Detachable spring-clip flash hider. This specimen includes one original 20 rnd magazine marked, "G3 HK 5/62" which must have come into the U.S. in a slightly later shipment. This early model of the G3 was manufactured on Mauser tooling and is the pathfinder of the modern "modular" weapons concept where a basic receiver design could be transformed into a specialized application for different kinds of uses. Straightforward plain battle rifle, or folding stock for paratroop, or armor. Scopes and bipods were easily fitted to this design in a successful attempt to meet the varying needs of the modern assault rifle. This design provided the framework for the MP5 and nearly all firearm platforms manufactured by Heckler and Koch for more than 3 decades, and as such, this rifle is an important part of modern military rifle history. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine to near excellent original smooth lustrous gray-blue finish on all metal parts with some thinning and slight wear to gray patina at high edges. It is interesting to note the early weld/manufacturing techniques used on this rifle. Internal parts and bore of this rifle are near pristine. Bolt face is particularly attractive, as is the grain of the wooden forend and buttstock which show light handling marks with a couple of small chips. There is an 1/8" long nick to the metal of the forend on the left side and some slight brassing on either side of the receiver forward of the magazine housing but none of this detracts from the exceedingly handsome appearance of this rifle. Bore is excellent, shiny, and bright. Although this rifle has obviously been shot, it must have been very little, and even then immediately cared for. Many of us are used to the later H & K guns and it is an extremely rare and welcome treat to see this rifle, particularly in such clean and attractive condition. Specimens such as this almost never surface on the collector market, and it is difficult to imagine a finer specimen. 50249-1 JWK23 (28,000-35,000)